Midterm 1 International Politics NYU
Assumptions of Realism/Neorealism (4) - answer1. International Politics is anarchic.
2. States are rational, unitary actors. They are key to international politics.
3. Stats try to maximize their security above all else, and consider other factors only
after security is assured.
4. States try to increase their power so long as doing so does not place their security at
risk.
Hypotheses of Realism/Neorealism (3) - answer1. Bipolarity more stable than
multipolarity.
2. War is avoided by balancing power.
3. Alliances are a way to balance power/protect security.
Assumptions of Liberalism (3) - answer1. States are rational unitary actors.
2. International politics are hierarchical, not anarchic.
3. Cooperation is the natural state of affairs between states.
Hypotheses of Liberalism (4) - answer1. States pursue wealth and security.
2. Cooperation is improved when there is a dominant state.
3. Alliances reflect shared interests and so are long-lived.
4. Strong norms promote cooperation even when states are called on to act against
their short-term interests.
Assumptions of Constructivism (3) - answer1. Initial leader actions are strategic - seek
legitimacy.
2. Later, external pressure and socially-accepted norms after self-perception (Role
redefinition).
3. Reflection alters one's sense of self-interest.
Hypotheses of Constructivism (2) - answer1. Instrumental short-term changes in
behavior lead to long-term changes in preferences and actions.
2. confronted with international pressure to abide by the norm of conduct to which they
give rhetorical support, leaders change their behavior and respect the norm of conduct
to which they agreed.
Strategic Perspective Principles (3) - answer1. Leaders care about themselves.
2. International relations cannot be separated from domestic politics.
3. Relations between nations and between leaders are driven by strategic
considerations.
Assumptions of Realism/Neorealism (4) - answer1. International Politics is anarchic.
2. States are rational, unitary actors. They are key to international politics.
3. Stats try to maximize their security above all else, and consider other factors only
after security is assured.
4. States try to increase their power so long as doing so does not place their security at
risk.
Hypotheses of Realism/Neorealism (3) - answer1. Bipolarity more stable than
multipolarity.
2. War is avoided by balancing power.
3. Alliances are a way to balance power/protect security.
Assumptions of Liberalism (3) - answer1. States are rational unitary actors.
2. International politics are hierarchical, not anarchic.
3. Cooperation is the natural state of affairs between states.
Hypotheses of Liberalism (4) - answer1. States pursue wealth and security.
2. Cooperation is improved when there is a dominant state.
3. Alliances reflect shared interests and so are long-lived.
4. Strong norms promote cooperation even when states are called on to act against
their short-term interests.
Assumptions of Constructivism (3) - answer1. Initial leader actions are strategic - seek
legitimacy.
2. Later, external pressure and socially-accepted norms after self-perception (Role
redefinition).
3. Reflection alters one's sense of self-interest.
Hypotheses of Constructivism (2) - answer1. Instrumental short-term changes in
behavior lead to long-term changes in preferences and actions.
2. confronted with international pressure to abide by the norm of conduct to which they
give rhetorical support, leaders change their behavior and respect the norm of conduct
to which they agreed.
Strategic Perspective Principles (3) - answer1. Leaders care about themselves.
2. International relations cannot be separated from domestic politics.
3. Relations between nations and between leaders are driven by strategic
considerations.
